Winnipeg Blue Bombers rally late to defeat Toronto Argonauts and advance to Eastern Final
Dru Brown threw a 23-yard touchdown pass with 44 seconds left to give the Winnipeg Blue Bombers a 25-22 win over the Toronto Argonauts in the East Division semifinal, sending Winnipeg to the conference final in Montreal.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers secured a 25-22 victory over the Toronto Argonauts in the East Division semifinal on Saturday, advancing to the Eastern final in Montreal next weekend. With 44 seconds remaining, quarterback Dru Brown completed a 23-yard touchdown pass to receiver Nick Demski, followed by a successful two-point conversion, capping a 52-yard, five-play drive that began after former Argonaut Thiadric Hansen recovered a punt-return fumble by Janarion Grant.
Toronto starter Chad Kelly left the game in the fourth quarter with a right-shoulder injury after completing 18 of 30 passes for 193 yards and one touchdown. Backup quarterback Nick Arbuckle entered in relief, completing two of six attempts for 25 yards. The Argonauts' defense forced four turnovers—two interceptions and two fumbles—but the offense managed only three field goals, allowing Winnipeg to stay within striking distance.
Winnipeg quarterback Brown finished with 206 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions on 18 of 30 attempts. The Blue Bombers' scoring also included touchdowns by David Reese and Ontaria Wilson, with Sergio Castillo adding two converts and a field goal. Toronto's points came from a touchdown by Tyler Kahmann and five field goals by Lirim Hajrullahu.
The game featured several key moments, including a 52-yard fumble-return touchdown by Reese that narrowed the gap to 19-17, and a series of field goals that kept the contest close. Winnipeg's defense forced the decisive turnover that set up the final drive, while Toronto's decision to punt on third-and-one with just over two minutes left gave the Bombers possession at the 24-yard line, leading to the game-winning score.
The win marks Winnipeg's second consecutive appearance in the East semifinal; the team previously lost to Montreal 42-33 in the 2025 postseason. The Blue Bombers become the 14th crossover team from the West to reach the East playoffs since the format's introduction in 1996, though no crossover team has yet advanced to the Grey Cup.